Eleventy vs. Hexo
By SW Habitation
Eleventy
Hexo
Have you ever been to a website that loads super fast? Chances are it uses an SSG (Static Site Generator). It’s a tool that builds your site ahead of time, so when someone visits, they get the page instantly. No waiting around for things to load it’s just there.
What is Eleventy ?
Eleventy is a static site generator that takes your content whether it’s Markdown, HTML, or other template languages and compiles it into static HTML files.
Unlike some other SSGs, Eleventy doesn’t lock you into a specific front-end framework, giving you the freedom to structure your project however you like. It’s designed to be simple, flexible, and fast, making it a favorite among web developers who appreciate minimalism.
Key Features of Eleventy
- Community Support: Growing community with tons of plugins and resources.
- Great for SEO: Generates static HTML, making your site search engine-friendly.
- Multiple Template Languages: Supports Markdown, Nunjucks, Liquid, Pug, and more.
- Fast Builds: Optimized for performance with lightning-fast build times.
- Simple Configuration: No complex setup — just a simple .eleventy.js config file.
- Flexible Data Handling: Use front matter, JSON, or JavaScript to handle data.
- No JavaScript Framework Required: Works with plain HTML and CSS if you prefer.
Advantages of Eleventy
- Lightweight: No heavy dependencies or boilerplate code.
- Fast and SEO-Friendly: Static HTML means quick load times and great SEO.
- Simplicity: No need to overthink just build.
- Ideal for Content-Driven Sites: Perfect for blogs, portfolios, and documentation.
- Flexible Content: Use different templating languages in one project.
Disadvantages of Eleventy
- Limited Out-of-the-Box Features: Requires plugins for things like image optimisation or RSS feeds.
- Minimal Abstractions: No built-in state management — you handle everything yourself.
- Learning Curve: Understanding its flexibility takes a bit of time.
What is Hexo?
Hexo is a Node.js powered static site generator that transforms Markdown files into static HTML pages. It’s particularly popular among bloggers and developers who love the simplicity of Markdown but also want a bit more control over the final website output as well.
Key Features of Hexo
- Theming System: Supports customizable themes for a personalized look.
- Markdown Support: Write your content in Markdown and let Hexo handle the rest.
- Extensive Plugin Ecosystem: Offers a range of plugins for SEO, analytics, and more.
- Deployment Made Easy: One-command deployment to platforms like GitHub Pages or Vercel.
- Supports Front-Matter: Add metadata like titles, tags, and categories to each post.
- Blazing Fast: Generates static files in seconds, even for large websites.
Advantages of Hexo
- Huge Plugin Library: Extend functionality effortlessly.
- Perfect for Blogs: Tailored to bloggers who want to focus on content.
- Minimal Setup: Simple installation and configuration.
- Speed: Lightning-fast build times.
- Markdown Focused: Keeps writing pure and distraction-free.
Disadvantages of Hexo
- Less Modern Than Some Alternatives: Lacks the modern features of frameworks like Next.js or Gatsby.
- Limited Dynamic Content: Not ideal for highly interactive sites.
- Node.js Required: Needs Node.js installed.
Comparison Between Eleventy vs Hexo
Use Cases of Eleventy
- Personal Blogs and Portfolios: Simple content-focused sites.
- SEO-Friendly Sites: Static HTML means better indexing by search engines.
- Documentation Sites: Great for organising and presenting technical documentation.
- Minimalist Projects: Ideal when you want full control with minimal abstraction.
Use Cases of Hexo
- Fast Deployments: Get your site online with a single command.
- Technical Documentation: Write clean, organized docs quickly.
- Blogging: Built with bloggers in mind, especially those who love Markdown.
- Developer Portfolios: Show off projects with minimal effort.
Other Resources
Conclusion
Static Site Generators are a big game changer if you’re looking to build a website that’s fast, secure, and easy to maintain. Whether you’re launching a personal blog, portfolio, or a business website, they give you the freedom to focus on what really matters, your content and your users without all the extra complexity.
The best part? You’re not locked into one way of doing things. You can choose the tools and tech you’re most comfortable with, and scale things up as your site grows. From lightning-fast load times to better SEO and easy hosting, SSGs make the whole process smoother.
At the end of the day, it comes down to what fits your workflow and goals best. Pick the one that feels right to your requirements, and you’ll be well on your way to creating a beautiful, high-performing website that you’re proud of 🙌
Frequently asked questions
Is Eleventy fast?
Yes very fast, Eleventy is known for its quick build times and low overhead, making it perfect for fast static websites.
Does Eleventy have built-in data handling?
Yes, Eleventy handles data from JSON, YAML, Markdown, and more, which can be injected directly into your templates.
Is Eleventy SEO-friendly?
Yes, Eleventy outputs clean HTML with customizable metadata, so you can fine-tune your SEO strategy easily.
Does Eleventy support multiple templates?
Yes, Eleventy is template agnostic means you can use Nunjucks, Liquid, Markdown, Pug, and more.
What’s Hexo good for?
Hexo is good for building fast blogs and simple static websites that need to be quickly set up and easily managed.
Is Hexo easy to set up?
Yup, Hexo has a straightforward setup process and is easy to get running with minimal configuration.
Does Hexo use Markdown?
Yup, Hexo uses Markdown files to create content, so it's developer-friendly and easy for content creators to manage.
Does Hexo support plugins?
Yup, Hexo has lots of plugins available to extend its functionality, whether it’s for SEO, performance, or content management.
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By SW Habitation